Team Herald
PANJIM: The Public Works Department (PWD) has written to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), New Delhi to grant non-objection certificate (NOC) for the construction of proposed two revolving viewing towers atop new signature Zuari bridge.
Earlier, there were reports that the two towers would be built by the bridge contractor Dilip Buildcon Limited, Bhopal. But now the works will be tendered by the PWD.
PWD Superintendent Engineer (National Highways and Bridges) D C Gupta said, “We have written to the MoRTH to give us NOC to start the work of constructing two viewing towers on either side of the new eight-lane Zuari Bridge. Once we receive NOC from MoRTH, the PWD will invite expression of interest (EoI) for appointment of consultant to design and supervise the works.”
Gupta said the work will be tendered only after the detailed project report (DPR) prepared by the consultant is approved by the Government of India.
Both the towers to be built on the lines of Eiffel Tower of Paris will be 124-metres tall and will be an international tourist attraction ion State. There will be provision for restaurants, amusement parks and other facilities. The visitors will be able to view scenic Goa with binoculars.
Meanwhile, the work of new Zuari Bridge is on and the four-lane section is likely to be thrown open for vehicular traffic from December 19 this year, on the Goa’s liberation day.
The ongoing works of widening of the national highway-66 including the bridge is undertaken by the MoRTH, New Delhi in three packages –- Bambolim to Agassaim; main Zuari Bridge and from Cortalim to Verna Industrial Estate, a total distance of 12.98 kms.
